Yesterday I did a big ride with some friends around the Kiama, Berry, and Kangaroo Valley regions. The other guys are all doing tours of the Alps or Pyrenees in Europe soon, so they needed the mountain training. It was a bit hard for me, not having done any recent cycling, but I managed at the back of the pack. Have a look at the following link and scroll down to the vertical profile graphs. You’ll see what I mean about mountains.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/510283725

Today I’m driving over the Blue Mountains to link up with Kevin Carr and to act as his support crew as he runs into Sydney to conclude the Australian leg of his world run. It will be an interesting experience to be on the “other side of the coin”. I’ll do some running with Kevin, but I won’t be running any 50 km days.

On This Day

May 31, 2012

Distance today = 50.78 km; Total distance = 7064.05 km; Location = Harrold, South Dakota (5 km west of) – 44 31.609′ N, 99 48.300′ W; Start time = 0927, Finish time = 1710

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/184168759

As I’ve said before, you just can’t pick ‘em. After a strong run yesterday, I was expecting to be powering today, but I felt terrible during the morning, only picking up after about 2 pm.

Part of this was due to the fact I was running on a busy road with no shoulder. This is the worst type of road to run on. I was constantly jumping off the road surface on to the rough gravel to avoid cars. I just couldn’t find a rhythm.

However, after 30 km I reached the intersection of US14 and US83. After this, the traffic volume reduced dramatically, and the shoulder widened just as dramatically – bliss for a runner.

All the same, running on the constant camber facing the oncoming traffic has resulted in a sore right ankle. I’ll have to be careful to ensure this doesn’t escalate into anything more serious.

Today I crossed the 100 degree west meridian. There was a sign by the roadside signifying the fact. It also explained that, due to an incorrect report by surveyors in the early 1800s that everything west of 100 degrees was a desert, banks would not lend to anyone wanting to settle beyond this imaginary line. It caused a lot of economic hardship in the Dakotas for quite some time.

Please note, the tracker is currently showing me about 27 km further east than my true run position.

And to finish, a very happy birthday to my daughter, Grace. Have a good one!

May 31, 2013

On this day we flew from Singapore to Australia to begin my final leg of my world run.